Weekend Review: Masters 2018 a dream for Patrick Reed and a nightmare for bookies
William Hill describes the Masters leaderboard as a “shocker” as bet365 loses £3m during Manchester derby
Patrick Reed’s first major title victory in the 2018 Masters dominated the weekend’s betting activity as he beat fellow Americans Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler to win at Augusta.
The world number 24 led Rory McIlroy by three shots overnight, but the Northern Irishman faded on the final day as Fowler finished second on a 67 and Spieth came in third after nine birdies in a 64.
On a cool and crisp Georgia afternoon, several of the game’s biggest guns made spirited runs at @PReedGolf, but one by one, he turned them away. #themasters https://t.co/87HcCSoRyO
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2018
Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “The Masters managed to keep things interesting right until the last putt, Patrick Reed holing admirably to clinch his maiden Major by one shot.
“With a 3 shot lead going into the final round, his win left the punters ahead over the tournament, although it could have been worse had the flying Jordan Spieth pipped him, as he threatened to do, as the young American was our biggest liability before a ball had been struck.”
William Hill’s Rupert Adams described the final Masters leaderboard as a “shocker” for the operator.
“Almost all the fancied runners got in the each way market and we ended up losing nearly a million,” he said.
Bet365’s Steve Freeth also said the placing came at heavy cost: “Patrick Reed was a popular pre-tournament pick in the Masters at 50/1 with 8 places up for grabs.
“You can understand why, however we’d have taken that before a ball was hit with Tiger and Poulter dominating our liabilities.
“However, there were groans from both the pre-game and in-play teams, and no doubt cheers from his each way backers, when Rory made par at 18th – putting it mildly, the places were no good!”
From one champion to another.
"Hopefully there's a lot more to come."
– Patrick Reed, Masters champion. pic.twitter.com/wlyIL46O3H
— bet365 (@bet365) April 9, 2018
Shane McLaughlin, director of exchange at Ladbrokes Coral revealed that several punters had bet big on Reed to tie up the tournament.
He said: ““Patrick Reed is a divisive character on the course and split opinion between BETDAQ customers in the Masters.
“He was quietly supported pre-tournament with some nice back bets including a £222 outright win at 72 netting £15,762.
“However, there were plenty willing to take him on come Sunday, with one customer happy to lay Reed for £8,000 at 2.36 just before his tee time on the final day,” McLaughlin added.
One unfortunate Betdaq customer was left feeling blue after backing Manchester City at 1.05 to the tune of £7800. “It was a rollercoaster weekend for Betdaq customers with the Manchester derby causing plenty of in-running carnage,” said McLaughlin.
…and breathe! #MUFC come from two goals down to turn things around in the derby after a sensational second half. Here's how it happened…
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 7, 2018
Freeth told EGR that bet365 lost £3m on the game, which saw Manchester United run out 3-2 winners at the Etihad Stadium after being two goals down at half time.
“While the Manchester derby may have been brilliant for the neutral and United fans, it certainly wasn’t for us,” he added.